This 1-day course is perfect for those with little or no backcountry skiing or snowboarding experience who want to learn the essentials.

In India, where ski infrastructure is limited and skiing in the Himalayas is predominantly backcountry, you'll gain crucial knowledge for this unique environment. We'll introduce you to the gear necessary for backcountry travel, including climbing skins and other tools. On the snow, you'll learn techniques for moving through pristine, ungroomed terrain, which requires a mix of uphill hiking on skis and downhill skiing. Additionally, we'll touch on advanced skills like avalanche terrain assessment, search, and rescue, ensuring you're aware and prepared.

Overview

We’ll begin by gathering at the starting point, where we'll introduce you to the essential gear for backcountry skiing, including modern skis, bindings, and skins, highlighting the differences and advantages of each. We'll also cover the vital avalanche safety equipment required for safe backcountry travel and go over its basic functions. Once everyone is geared up and ready, we’ll venture into the backcountry.

On the snow, we'll embark on our first tour through beautiful, untouched alpine terrain. We'll take it slow as we introduce key concepts like terrain evaluation, track setting, route finding, proper use of ski touring equipment, and movement techniques tailored for backcountry conditions.

Curriculum Overview

Course Objectives

This introductory course is crafted to develop the essential skills and techniques for both uphill and downhill travel using alpine touring and telemark gear. Our aim is to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of:

• Ski Touring Equipment: Mastering the use of gear crucial for backcountry skiing.
• Avalanche Safety Tools: Proficiency with transceivers, probes, shovels, and their effective application.
• Uphill Travel Techniques: Learning efficient and safe methods for ascending in backcountry terrain.
• Track Setting: Establishing optimal routes for uphill travel.
• Terrain Assessment: Selecting and evaluating terrain, understanding areas to ski and avoid, and identifying islands of safety versus islands of danger.
• Downhill Route Selection: Choosing the safest and most effective routes for descending.
• Optimal Ski Conditions: Recognizing and capitalizing on the best snow conditions for skiing.

Additionally, we’ll focus on refining your personal backcountry skiing skills to ensure you’re well-prepared for future adventures.

Instructor Qualifications

Our course leaders have extensive experience in ski instruction, rescue operations, and backcountry travel. Each instructor is certified in AHF Avalanche Level 1 and 2 or holds equivalent certifications from AIARE, Avalanche Canada.

Pre-requisites.

Let’s break down the prerequisites for this course:

1. Intermediate Skiing Abilities: Participants should be able to confidently ski blue runs at a ski area. This means they have experience skiing on intermediate-level slopes.

2. Physical Condition: Since participants will be moving uphill under their own power, it’s essential that they are in good physical shape. Stamina and endurance are crucial for this activity.

3. Max Ratio: The maximum participant-to-instructor ratio is 3:1. This ensures personalized attention and safety during the course.

Feel free to ask if you have any further questions! 😊

Next Steps in Your Training

To continue your journey in backcountry skiing and snow safety, we offer several advanced options. Our avalanche safety courses, conducted by AHF, will elevate your understanding of terrain and snow conditions, emphasizing how smart decisions like route planning can enhance your safety. The 2.5-day AHF Rec 1 Avalanche Course and the 1-day AHF Avalanche Rescue Course are essential for anyone serious about backcountry exploration.

For those aiming to further hone their skiing skills, our 2-day advanced backcountry ski course offers deeper insights into navigating complex terrain. If you’re new to winter camping, our overnight Winter Camping course is an excellent way to develop the confidence and skills needed for extended trips into untouched powder. These courses are designed to prepare you for a long and rewarding backcountry experience.